Yorkie

Again, my feelings exactly. We've looked ropey at least once in the group in all of Southgate's tournaments; Belgium, Scotland, USA - but those occasions felt like a means to an end and you knew there was a functioning team there (as demonstrated by the later progress). That's what's missing this time; we're just plain shite.

Yep. It's also the third international tournament in four years.

Yeah, this reflects my feelings pretty well. With the gradual improvement to the talent pool, it's all starting to feel very Sven era. It was during the tail end of that, and afterwards, that I became very ambivalent towards England. I'm frustrated by how poorly the team is playing and irritated by how needlessly boring the games have been, but the toxicity and misery is awful too. I'm not defending his performance this tournament - he's getting it wrong and the team has completely lost its way under his stewardship - but I hate that it's ending this way for Southgate. The vibe going into this tournament was quite strange. We were among the favourites and people were crowing about that whilst simultaneously foaming at the fact we inevitably wouldn't win cos Southgate. Now everyone's predictions are seemingly coming to pass, it's furious vindication everywhere you look. It's so tedious and depressing and the antithesis of everything fun/hopeful about following England prior to now. Maybe things will change once our opponents will be required to win but there's little evidence of a coherent team here.

It was better than the absolute bilge of Denmark but it was still dreadful. If that was the only time we'd been crap I wouldn't really give a shit but the writing is on the wall here.

Go on, Gordon.

God this is just dire.

Would we not potentially face the 3rder of this group?

Where the fuck was VVD there?

Sure, but you've got to consider the player too. I don't see the disappearance of a release clause as a guarantee of anything; at least when it's there, we can say "£100m or fuck off" without upsetting the player. He agreed to have the clause there. But if Bruno is tempted by a move to someone like Man City or PSG then any reasonable offer is absolutely going to test our resolve. I live in hope that he wouldn't be interested, he clearly loves it here. I just find any celebration of this moment potentially a bit short-sighted.

No real gripe with Gallagher coming into the side. I like his tenacity and Trent obviously has to be removed. There's nothing left to argue in favour of persisting with that experiment. However, seeing as we're through and we're not facing a particularly strong opponent, there are few risks associated with trying one more time to see if the team can finally start gelling with Foden on the left. If there isn't a significant improvement to the team's performance then it really, really, really needs to be jettisoned. If there was anything major to play for going into this game I'd say it should be binned immediately, but there isn't. I don't have high hopes, like, but when Southgate has stuck to his guns in the past (picking Sterling, not dropping Kane in Euro 2020), he has been totally vindicated. So am prepared to give him that grace.

Let's see what happens now we don't have the leverage to demand £100m. Would love to see the lad turning out for us again next season, but a bit worried that he'll have been playing relentlessly for ages, come the end of Copa America. We need to become less reliant on him whether we sell him or don't.

How have Croatia not seen this out? Jesus.

Great defending from the Croatia FB there.

Amazing defensive header from Bastoni.

Think that Croatia kit would be an all-timer if the cheques were on the back.

Ah class, that photo of Edwards again.

I was absolutely on board with signing a certified goal threat from Everton for a cut price deal, so personally think it's a pity it hasn't worked out. I'm glad we're not being taken for mugs but I would never have expected that anyway.

Happy to bump Bruno to 10 but no way Isak is downgraded. We signed one of the best strikers in the world; I literally don't think we could do any better.

Lunchtime procrastinating: Trippier: 10 Wood: 6 Burn: 8 Bruno: 9 Targett loan: 7 Pope: 8 Botman: 7 Isak: 10 Targett: 3 Gordon: 9 Tonali: - Barnes: 7 Livramento: 8 Hall: - Only the Targett signing has been a dud. I get the argument re Wood but he was the only one to qualify as a panic buy so should be measured differently imo. Jury well and truly out on Tonali and Hall.

Lunacy. Even if he was fucked.

No schadenfreude here but Scotland deserved absolutely nowt. Another tournament where they've been absolute cannon fodder.

Always felt like the elastic band would snap right at the very end.

There it is

Scotland absolutely ragged now.

Well I'd include the manager in that to some extent. Moot point anyway imo. We'll only be looking at DCL cos we can get a good deal. PL experience is something absolutely worth having when it comes to lads who can put it in the net, like.